Old Westminster Information

Old Westminster Winery is our family's effort to cultivate noteworthy wines on our small Maryland farm. In 2009, after varied discussions on "how best to put our land to work," our parents pitched the idea of growing and producing wine. We agreed that the venture of farming and making Maryland wine was a viable and exciting proposition. In 2010, after many months of discussion and planning, our "research" landed us in California wine country. On one spectacular evening, while sitting on a terrace overlooking the vineyards of Saint Helena, my parents' idea became our family's passion and we decided to chase it wholeheartedly. Upon returning to Maryland, our dream quickly materialized into a plan of action; to hand-craft distinctive wine with a sense of place, and to provide a unique, wine-centered experience. We sought consultation from France, California and mid-Atlantic experts to guide land preparation, vine selection, and wine production. As importantly, our family and friends came alongside to encourage, laugh (sometimes cry), and toil; we needed their friendships. On Easter weekend 2011, we sowed our first 7,600 grape vines. The ensuing days of summer overflowed with rewarding work: trellis installation, vine training, post pounding and weeding, winery construction and hospital visits just to share a few. That fall welcomed not only our first shot at wine production utilizing carefully sourced grapes, but it also provided a tremendous opportunity to make wine for two other neophyte wine producers. These small lots of different varietals from numerous sites proved to be an excellent learning experience; it honed our winemaking skills and revealed our personal style. 2012 introduced change and growth; the vineyard's rhythmic cycle of quiet dormancy and vibrant life mirrored our family's burgeoning experience and mounting determination to produce great wines. The spring of 2013 marked two milestones - we bottled our first wines on April 6th, then on June 8th, our prayers and passion were realized when ...